Match Preview: Everton Vs Manchester United

Manchester United head to Goodison Park on Saturday fresh from their Champions League victory at the San Siro on Tuesday. United may have rode their luck somewhat in the first half in Milan, but they thoroughly deserved their victory in the end. Everton were in European action on Tuesday as well, they saw off Sporting Lison 2-1 at Goodison and by all accounts put in a very impressive display.

United’s trip to Everton will not be an easy one by any stretch of the imagination. David Moyes’ side may not be quite in the fight for European places but serious injury problems cost them at the start of the season. I feel Everton are in a ‘false position’ at the moment and I’m confident they’ll be in the top six or seven by the end of the campaign. Everton have already done United a favour this season by beating Chelsea, in fact they’ve taken four points off Carlo Ancelotti’s side – proof if it were needed of just how dangerous Everton can be.

United managed to come through their trip to Italy relatively unscathed with no new injury concerns. Ryan Giggs has joined John O’Shea and Owen Haregreaves on the sidelines, while Nemanja Vidic may be forced to sit this one out as well and Nani is suspended.

Unlike United Everton have some serious injury problems at the moment and have recently been rocked by the news key man Marouane Fellaini will miss the rest of the season. Fellaini is a quality player and his presence will certainly be missed, there are also question marks over whether Tim Cahill will be able to face United as he has a calf strain. Phil Jagielka has been missing for the entire season and although he is close to fitness it is unlikely Moyes will risk him against United, while Philipe Senderos, Victor Anichebe and Tony Hibbert are all listed as doubtful.

The game against Everton could well be one where former strikers haunt their previous clubs. Wayne Rooney, formerly of Everton, has been in electric form for United of late and he would surely love to score at Goodison. Everton have former United man Louis Saha amongst their ranks and he is looking very good at the moment. I always rated Saha personally but injury cost him at Old Trafford, Everton have been more patient with the Frenchman and are reaping the rewards. Saha grabbed a brace against Chelsea and ‘King Louis’ is more than capable of finding the net against United.

I don’t really want to hazard a guess at the score or even result of this one. Everton should not be taken lightly and this could be a potential banana skin for Sir Alex Ferguson but I’m confident the United boss will have done his homework ahead of the trip to Merseyside. It won’t be an easy task but this is a fixture United really need to win, Chelsea travel to Wolves and Arsenal welcome Sunderland to the Emirates and I just can’t see United’s title rivals losing any points in those fixtures.